Welcome to Women's Enterprise Centre!

We were established in 1995 by Western Economic Diversification Canada, to assist women in starting and growing businesses in British Columbia. We've grown to become the leading business resource centre in our province for women starting, purchasing or growing a small business. We provide essential business services and resources, as well as referrals to many resources and other business service providers throughout the province.

Our team understands and relates to the unique circumstances of women business owners. Our experienced business advisors, trainers and facilitators provide our clients with tools and confidence through a supportive, individual and practical approach.

Our Services

Professional Guidance: Our professional Business Advisors offer advice for business challenges and growth strategies, as well as marketing and financial issues. We also have a number of tools to assist in the development of a business plan and will assess your plan for financing.

Business Loans: Our unique business lending program can help you start your business or assist with the growth of your business and blends business planning, training, guidance and advice with financing up to $150,000.00 for new and existing businesses. This approach is designed to build business capacity and maximize resources.

Practical Skills Development: We provide 'real-world' training and workshops in a number of essential subject areas required to run a strong and successful business, and in a variety of formats to suit busy entrepreneurs. Our do-it-yourself training is a handy way to learn tips for your small business.

Networking Connections: We connect women to other business service providers throughout the province, as well as to networking and peer learning opportunities.

Resource Library: Our on-line resource library is full of information and resource guides to start or grow a business.

Events and Workshops: We host a number of inspirational events each year for women who want to start or grow a business. These often feature guest women entrepreneurs relating their stories and lessons. You'll also see us at trade shows and business events around the province.

Making a Difference

In 1994, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) undertook research which identified gaps in access to financing and services for women entrepreneurs. To fill these gaps, WD committed $38.5 million to create Women's Enterprise Initiatives (WEI’s) in the four western provinces.

Each Women’s Enterprise Initiative administers a $5 million loan fund for women entrepreneurs unable to obtain traditional financing. These organizations provide complimentary business counselling, resource information and referrals and a variety of innovative training programs.

Since 1995, women entrepreneurs throughout BC have benefited from the services of Women's Enterprise Centre, accessing professional guidance, empowered lending and skills development to start, grow and succeed.

With offices in Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria, Women’s Enterprise Centre offers services to the 137,000 women business owners in BC and, since 1995, we have responded to over 72,000 inquiries for business information.

Serving the women of BC for since 1995

Women’s Enterprise Centre meets the changing needs of BC women entrepreneurs with an impressive array of programs and services. Here are some highlights of our accomplishments in BC since 1995:

LOANS

Through our business loans, combined with ongoing loan care services, we have:

• provided over $33M in direct and leveraged financing to women-owned businesses in BC, to 140 new businesses and nearly 200 existing business expansions or purchases; and
• created almost $990M in economic activity in British Columbia which helped to create or maintain over 1,350 jobs in the province.

Our loan clients have

• generated almost twice the revenue and employ almost twice as many people as our non-loan clients;
• more than doubled their chances for business survival. While only 35% of small businesses in BC are still in business after 5 years, the success rate for Women’s Enterprise Centre clients is 75%.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

• trained over 16,500 women in more than 1,285 Women's Enterprise Centre seminars and workshops to improve their business skills.
• provided mentoring and leadership development facilitation opportunities to more than 530 women with the support of 170 volunteer mentors and facilitators;
• partnered with hundreds of Women’s Business Networks, Chambers of Commerce , Community Futures, industry organizations and other business service providers to enhance clients’ access to services to help them in their businesses; provide regular education and information to over 8,400 subscribers through our eNews.

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

Our business advisors understand the unique situations women business owners face. We have:

• responded to more than 72,300 inquiries for information;
• conducted over 37,000 business advisory sessions with 6,586 women seeking business advice and assistance;
• demonstrated a direct association between advisory assistance provided by Women's Enterprise Centre and business development in more than 60% of clients.

We look forward to working together with you on your small business endeavours!

Please contact us to learn more at 1.800.643.7014, or by e-mail at inquiry@womensenterprise.ca